EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ANTIMONY EXPOSURE IN STARTER BATTERY PRODUCTION

In the production of lead batteries two antimony compounds occur: in t he casting of grids antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), and in the formation of lead plates stibine (SbH3). Seven workers from the grid-casting area and 14 workers from the formation area were examined with regard to th e antimony concentration in blood (Sb-B) and urine (Sb-U). Antimony ai r concentrations (Sb-A) were measured by means of personal air sampler s. Urine samples were collected at the end of the working week, at the beginning (U1) and the end (U2) of the shift, and at the beginning of work following a weekend without Sb exposure (U3). At U2 among the ca sters the median Sb-A exposure was 4.5 (1.18-6.6) mu g Sb/m(3) and amo ng the formation workers, 12.4 (0.6-41.5) mu g Sb/m(3). The exposure i n both groups is more than 10 times lower than the present threshold l imit values. The median Sb-B concentrations in the preshift samples wa s 2.6 (0.5-3.4) mu g Sb/l for the casters and 10.1 (0.5-17.9) mu g Sb/ l for the formation workers. The average Sb-U values (U2) were 3.9 (2. 8-5.6) mu g Sb/g creatinine in the casting area and 15.2 (3.5-23.4) mu g Sb/g creatinine in the forming area. Our investigation indicates th at the two antimony compounds show virtually equal pulmonary absorptio n and renal elimination. The statistically significant correlations be tween Sb-A/Sb-B and Sb-A/Sb-U form the basis for proposals regarding a ppropriate biological exposure limits for occupational antimony exposu re.